Introduction to Anatomy

Question 1

Why is anatomy essential for good clinical practice?

Answer 1

Involves examining patients (being able to identify abnormalities)
Carrying out invasive procedures (understanding of how structures function needed for safe practice)
Interpreting medical imagery (understanding is important as it can be an important stepping-stone to diagnosis)

Question 2

How is regional anatomy studied?

Answer 2

Regional anatomy divides the body into segments which can be subdivided into regions. Focuses on a part at a time, studies its composition and linkage between its structures. Regional anatomy identifies the body as being distributed into layers. Also involves surface anatomy.

Question 3

How is surface anatomy approached

Answer 3

Surface anatomy requires the ability to mentally depict structures of the body beneath the skin and how they produce the shape of the body both at rest and in motion. This is achieved by examining the body externally and touching the superficial (shallow) structures found under the surface. Allows determination of any abnormalities in clinical practice.

Question 4

What clinical techniques can be used to aid regional anatomy?

Answer 4

Clinical technique such as:
palpation
radiographic and sectional imaging
diagnostic imagery
endoscopic technique

Question 5

How is systemic anatomy studied?

Answer 5

Studying the body’s organ systems and understanding that no system can work independently

Question 6

Explain clinical anatomy

Answer 6

Also known as applied anatomy. Works as a combination of both systemic and regional anatomy, recognising importance on applying it in a clinical setting.
Studied by reversing the thought processes involved in the other approaches to studying anatomy;
Instead of thinking “How does this work?”, think “What would happen if this stopped working?”. Think about how it would affect the body etc.